https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/05/24/11/27/dentist-2340301_1280.png The *International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology* is an organization that is comprised of about 800 currently active members that are located in North America at the moment. The group also has chapter affiliations in *over a dozen different countries around the world*. Throughout the years since the group's inception, they have chronicled and promoted what they see to be the most current research in their area of expertise. ## October is regarded as *national dental hygiene* *month*, and this group of dentists is taking that opportunity to highlight the *risks associated with fluoride*. https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/06/19/55/sign-1719887_1280.png They've posted a variety of resources to their website for the occasion, with information detailing the health risks that they believe are associated with fluoride. And they've clearly carved out their stance, in opposition to using fluoride in dental materials, as well as in the water, or having it used in other products. On their site, they've detailed the dramatic increase in rates of exposure when it comes to water fluoridation and they admit that substantial sources of fluoride exposure now exist such as in fertilizers, soil, food, cookware, and more. ## The group analyzed hundreds of different studies *on this subject*. They allege that fluoride can have a severe *negative impact on the body* and that fluoride has been linked to a variety of potential health risks. They have urged the public to try and limit their exposure to fluoride wherever and whenever possible. https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/02/02/15/15/bottle-2032980_1280.jpg The *IAMT* has pointed out on their site that fluoride is recognized as one of 112 industrial chemicals that are known to cause *developmental neurotoxicity* in humans. Among the health risks that are believed to be associated with *exposure to fluoride* are concerns for things like bone weakness, bone cancer, cardiac insufficiency, cognitive deficits, early puberty in females, damage to the fetal brain, insomnia, complications with the immune system, lower IQ, thyroid dysfunction, and much more. The IAMT has concluded that for those who have an *increased exposure to fluoride*, that they are likely to see an increase when it comes to the health risks. And it isn't only people they are concerned about, they say that today's significant fluoride use also poses a risk to plants, animals, and the environment as well. https://steemitimages.com/DQmaW48YhsgLS2fxaYkXCuon3tFpQEEh1tSUCU3jjJXv7RT/%40doitvoluntarily.gif banner thanks to @son-of-satire Pics: Pixabay *The information that is posted above is not intended or implied to ever be used as any substitute for professional medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment. The above is posted for informational purposes only.* Sources: https://iaomt.org/ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fluoride-warnings-issued-by-international-group-of-dentists-300530480.html http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/higher-levels-of-fluoride-in-urine-linked-to-lower-iq-scores-in-children-1.3595337 http://nationalpost.com/health/researchers-urge-caution-over-study-linking-fluoride-exposure-in-pregnancy-to-lower-iqs-in-children https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/ https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp655/ http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/19/health/fluoride-iq-neurotoxin-study/index.html http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/Fluoride-Warnings-Issued-by-International-Group-of-Dentists-1002991949